Record STMT-W0FB2E9Voluntary

Data privacy & responsible AI handbook for the UAE

Guidelines State lawMiddle East · AEadoptedNot AI-specific

This handbook provides a practical, business-focused overview of the UAE Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) and its Executive Regulations, helping organizations build effective data privacy programs. It also incorporates responsible AI considerations aligned with the UAE National AI Strategy and the National Artificial Intelligence Security Policy. The guide outlines key compliance steps such as appointing a Data Protection Officer, maintaining data registers, managing data subject rights, ensuring security, and implementing AI privacy governance.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

PricewaterhouseCoopers Risk Services Pte LtdIndustry

Lead issuer

Legal forceVoluntary

Under whose authorityState law

Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

CompaniesAI developers and providersAI deployers and usersProfessional group

Business leaders, legal and compliance teams, data management, technology leaders, and risk professionals responsible for personal data and AI systems in organizations operating in or targeting the UAE.

Sectors

Cross-sector

What the document contains

What's covered

The document covers data privacy requirements under the UAE Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), definitions of personal and sensitive data, data subject rights, lawful bases for processing, controller and processor roles, and a ten-step compliance program. It also addresses responsible AI governance, AI privacy risk assessments, transparency, and third-party risk management in relation to data-driven and AI technologies.

What's missing

Not stated

Key takeaways

The handbook outlines a 10-step approach to establishing an effective data privacy program aligned with the UAE PDPL.
It provides a 9-step framework specifically for AI privacy governance to manage data and AI risks across enterprise lifecycles.
Organizations must distinguish between personal data and sensitive personal data, applying appropriate safeguards for sensitive information.
Compliance obligations include maintaining a personal data register, ensuring transparency, supporting data subject rights, and enforcing security mechanisms.
Responsible AI is treated as a natural extension of UAE PDPL principles to address issues like automated decision-making and profiling.

Principles it states

Lawfulness, fairness and transparencyData minimisationPurpose limitationStorage limitationAccuracyAccountabilityFairnessTransparency & explainabilityHuman-centricityEthical usePrivacy & securitySafety & reliabilityIntegrity & confidentiality

Outline

· About this handbook
· A brief introduction to data privacy and responsible AI
· Why is data privacy and AI governance important?
· Key concepts
· Key principles of data privacy and responsible AI
· What is personal data?
· What is sensitive personal data?
· People's (data subjects) rights
· When can you process personal data?
· Data controller vs. Data processor
· 10 steps to an effective data privacy programme
· 9 steps to AI privacy governance for enterprises

Issued2026

Length5,964 words · 32 pages

FormatNot recorded

Scopenational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

4/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

Establish clear accountability, principles, and oversight within AI Management System (AIMS) to ensure AI systems process personal data in compliance with applicable privacy laws.

AI privacy governance & strategy

screening score · 2026-10-24

Fairness

4/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

Lawfulness, fairness and transparency Data minimisation Purpose limitation Storage limitation Accuracy Accountability Fairness Transparency & explainability

Why is data privacy and AI governance important?

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Dignity

2/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

Data related to that person’s physical, psychological, mental, genetic orsexual health including any information that can reveal the person’s health status.

What is sensitive personal data?

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Oversight

4/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

Individuals can object to decisions made about them based on automated means. They also have the right to obtain human intervention to review decisions made which were based on automated processing.

People’s (data subjects) rights

screening score · 2026-10-24

Privacy

5/5

Protection of personal data and private life

Data privacy means giving people clear understanding and control over what personal data is collected about them, how it is used, and how it is protected, in line with the UAE Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL).

A brief introduction

screening score · 2026-10-24

Transparency

4/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

The Law strengthens transparency, accountability and individuals’ rights, and serves as a foundational pillar for trust in the UAE’s digital economy.

UAE Data Protection Law

screening score · 2026-10-24

Enforcement

4/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

The UAE Data Protection Law includes breach notification requirements where data controllers must notify The Office (the regulator) no later than 72 hours if they experience a data breach.

7. Handle personal data breaches

screening score · 2026-10-24

Impact Assessment

4/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

Identify, assess, and mitigate AI -specific privacy risks – such as profiling, automated decision-making – using a risk-based approach prior to deployment and during operation

AI Privacy Risk and Impact Assessments (AI-DPIA)

screening score · 2026-10-24

Topics

data_privacy responsible_ai compliance artificial_intelligence data_protection